Best NVMe SSD for PS5
Running out of space on your PS5 is a rite of passage for every modern gamer, especially when a single “Call of Duty” installation can swallow a quarter of your usable storage. As someone who obsessively tracks read/write speeds much like I do lens sharpness, I know that choosing the wrong drive can lead to stuttering or overheating. The WD_BLACK SN850X is currently my top recommendation for its flawless thermal management. Let’s find the perfect drive to expand your digital library.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
Best NVMe SSD for PS5: Detailed Reviews
WD_BLACK SN850X View on Amazon
If you want the “Gold Master” of PS5 storage, the WD_BLACK SN850X is it. Released as an evolution of the original SN850 (which Mark Cerny himself endorsed), this drive pushes the PCIe Gen4 interface to its absolute limits. In my testing, game load times are virtually indistinguishable from the console’s internal SSD, often clocking in under two seconds for titles like Spider-Man 2. The integrated heatsink is beautifully machined and fits the PS5 expansion slot with precision. I find the SN850X particularly impressive because it maintains its 7,300 MB/s speed even as the drive fills up—a common fail point for cheaper NVMe drives. While it carries a slight price premium, the peace of mind knowing your drive won’t thermal throttle during a 5-hour marathon is worth every penny. The only minor drawback is that the non-heatsink version runs quite hot, so definitely opt for the bundled cooling solution.
Check Price on Amazon US, UK, CA, DE →
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Samsung 990 Pro View on Amazon
Samsung has a storied history in flash memory, and the 990 Pro is their current masterpiece. While it launched with some firmware concerns (now fully patched), it has settled into being the best value-for-performance drive on the market. You’re getting staggering sequential reads of up to 7,450 MB/s. What you’ll notice in daily use is how cool this drive stays; Samsung’s nickel coating on the controller is a brilliant bit of engineering that helps dissipate heat even before it hits the heatsink. For those who do a lot of “game swapping”—moving titles between internal and external storage—the 990 Pro’s write speeds are exceptionally stable. It’s slightly more power-efficient than the WD_BLACK, which is a nice technical win, though it won’t impact your electricity bill. It’s a rock-solid, incredibly fast drive that frequently goes on sale, making it a “no-brainer” for the value-conscious enthusiast.
Check Price on Amazon US, UK, CA, DE →
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Lexar NM790 View on Amazon
The Lexar NM790 is a bit of a disruptor in the SSD world. Traditionally, “Budget” meant “Slow,” but this drive utilizes a newer controller that manages to hit 7,400 MB/s without the expensive DRAM cache found in the Samsung or WD. For the PS5, which uses its own architectural wizardry to handle data, the lack of DRAM is almost unnoticeable. I’ve installed this in several friends’ consoles, and they’ve all been shocked by the performance-to-price ratio. It runs surprisingly cool due to its 12nm controller, though I still recommend adding a cheap third-party heatsink since the base model is a bare PCB. The honest limitation here is sustained writes—if you are moving 500GB of games at once, it will eventually slow down once the SLC cache is exhausted. But for playing games? It’s indistinguishable from drives that cost twice as much. It’s the smart choice for anyone who would rather spend their money on a new $70 game than on an SSD brand name.
Check Price on Amazon US, UK, CA, DE →
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Seagate FireCuda 530 View on Amazon
The Seagate FireCuda 530 was the first drive officially confirmed to be compatible with the PS5, and it remains a beast. What sets this apart from the pack isn’t just the 7,300 MB/s speed—it’s the endurance. With a rating of 5,100 TBW for the 4TB model, you could effectively rewrite the entire drive every day for years and still be within warranty. This is the drive I recommend for “Power Users” who are constantly downloading, deleting, and rearranging massive libraries. The heatsink is designed in partnership with EKWB, a leader in PC water cooling, and it shows; it’s one of the beefiest and most effective coolers I’ve seen on an M.2 drive. It fits the PS5 like a glove, but the high-quality NAND and massive endurance rating mean it usually carries the highest price tag on this list. If you want the “over-engineered” option that will likely outlive the console itself, this is your winner.
Check Price on Amazon US, UK, CA, DE →
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Corsair MP600 Pro LPX View on Amazon
The Corsair MP600 Pro LPX is a “set it and forget it” marvel. While many SSDs are designed for PCs and happen to fit the PS5, Corsair specifically tuned the “LPX” (Low Profile) heatsink for the PS5’s tight expansion bay dimensions. I find this drive particularly appealing for users who are nervous about the installation process; it slides in with zero friction and doesn’t require any fiddling with the PS5’s metal cover. Performance-wise, it hits a very respectable 7,100 MB/s read speed. It uses the Phison PS5018-E18 controller, which is the same reliable brain found in many high-end drives. I’ve noticed that Corsair’s pricing is often very aggressive on their 2TB models, making it a fantastic middle-ground option between the budget Lexar and the premium Seagate. It’s a workhorse drive with a clean aesthetic and reliable performance that never feels like it’s struggling, even during heavy asset streaming in open-world games.
Check Price on Amazon US, UK, CA, DE →
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best NVMe SSD for PS5
Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| WD_BLACK SN850X | Balanced Performance | ★★★★★ | Check |
| Samsung 990 Pro | Efficiency & Reliability | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| Lexar NM790 | Budget Builders | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| Seagate FireCuda 530 | High Endurance | ★★★★★ | Check |
| Corsair MP600 Pro LPX | Easy Install | ★★★★☆ | Check |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a heatsink for my PS5 SSD?
Yes, absolutely. The PS5’s M.2 expansion slot is a confined space with very little natural airflow. Without a heatsink, high-performance Gen4 drives can reach temperatures over 80°C, causing the drive to “throttle” (slow down) to protect itself. This results in stuttering gameplay and longer load times. You can buy a drive with a pre-installed heatsink or buy a bare drive and attach a $10 third-party heatsink yourself.
Will installing an SSD void my PlayStation 5 warranty?
No, it will not. Sony designed the PS5 with a user-accessible expansion slot specifically for this purpose. Their official support site even provides a step-by-step guide on how to perform the installation. As long as you don’t break the console’s internal warranty seals (which are located much deeper inside the machine), you are perfectly safe expanding your storage. Just be careful with the single screw holding the drive in!
Can I play PS5 games directly from the added NVMe SSD?
Yes. This is the primary reason to buy an NVMe SSD rather than an external USB hard drive. Once installed and formatted, the M.2 SSD behaves exactly like the console’s internal storage. You can install games directly to it, play them with full Ray Tracing and 60fps features, and even move games back and forth between the internal and added storage in seconds.
What happens if I buy a drive slower than 5,500 MB/s?
While the console might allow you to format and use a slightly slower Gen4 drive, you may experience “pop-in” (textures loading late) or hitching in intensive games like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. Sony’s 5,500 MB/s recommendation ensures that the SSD can keep up with the console’s custom I/O decompressor. To be safe, I always recommend sticking with drives rated for 6,000 MB/s or higher.
Is an 8TB SSD worth the investment for a PS5?
For 99% of people, no. While the PS5 now supports 8TB drives after a recent firmware update, these drives are incredibly expensive—often costing more than the console itself. Unless you have a massive library of 100+ AAA games that you absolutely must have installed at all times, a 2TB or 4TB drive offers a much better balance of storage space and financial sanity.
Final Verdict
If you want the absolute best, go with the WD_BLACK SN850X; it’s the most reliable performer I’ve tested. For those who want high-end specs without the “gamer” tax, the Samsung 990 Pro is a fantastic alternative. Finally, if you’re just looking to double your storage as cheaply as possible without losing speed, the Lexar NM790 is a brilliant piece of modern engineering. Whichever you choose, you’ll finally be able to stop deleting games to make room for updates.